As director of child welfare and juvenile justice policy, Joseph Ribsam advances Casey’s efforts to inform, guide and influence public policy to improve the outcomes of young people and families who are or may become involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Before joining Casey, Ribsam was division director for New Hampshire’s Division for Children, Youth and Families, where he focused on helping state systems shift efforts towards preventing system involvement and increasing support for families. His team led the implementation of voluntary services to assist families at risk of formal system involvement. It also initiated a statewide program to connect youth with community-based resources as an alternative to court involvement. Under his leadership, the state built a children's system of care for behavioral health and developed a navigator program that helps families find community-based services and support.
For nearly a decade, Ribsam held leadership roles within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. He served on the board of national and statewide groups focused on child welfare issues, practiced law and was a teacher.
Ribsam earned a law degree from Rutgers University and a bachelor's degree in history and secondary education from the College of New Jersey.